Sociology
Textbooks
Boundless Sociology
Sociology Textbooks Boundless Sociology
Sociology Textbooks
Sociology

Chapter 18

Aging

Book Version 4
By Boundless
Boundless Sociology
Sociology
by Boundless
View the full table of contents
Section 1
The Aging Population
Thumbnail
Aging

Aging is the process of people growing older.

Thumbnail
Composition of the Older Population

The elderly proportion of the population is growing around the world, but it is greater in developed countries.

Thumbnail
Gender Differences in Aging

Aging to sex ratios show women living longer than men, but this gap has been quickly narrowing since 1990.

Thumbnail
Aging and Race

Individuals with different racial backgrounds tend to have different experiences with old age.

Thumbnail
Aging and Wealth

In order to assist the elderly with their living and healthcare costs, the U.S. government established assistance programs like Medicare.

Thumbnail
Global Aging

Global aging differs depending on the access to economic and social resources; thus, industrialized countries tend to have older populations.

Section 2
A Global Perspective on Aging
Thumbnail
The Social Construction of Aging

The social construction of aging entails the creation of social norms and symbols that encapsulates the aging process.

Thumbnail
Industrialization and the Graying of the Globe

Industrialization has contributed to the growth of the older age population due to the technological advances that have come with it.

Thumbnail
The Graying of America

The graying of America has contributed to the higher concentration of the elderly in certain areas of the United States.

Section 3
The Functionalist Perspective on Aging
Thumbnail
Disengagement Theory

The disengagement theory of aging claims that it is natural and acceptable for older adults to withdraw from society and personal relationships as they age.

Thumbnail
Activity Theory

Activity theory proposes that successful aging occurs when older adults stay active and maintain social interactions.

Thumbnail
Continuity Theory

The continuity theory proposes that older adults maintain the same activities, behaviors, personalities, and relationships of the past.

Section 4
The Conflict Perspective on Aging
Thumbnail
Social Security Legislation

Social security refers to legislation enacted by a government to promote the welfare of its population.

Thumbnail
Intergenerational Conflict

Intergenerational conflict refers to the conflict between older and younger generations as they compete for jobs and resources.

Section 5
The Symbolic-Interactionist Perspective on Aging
Thumbnail
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

The symbolic interactionist perspective posits that age is socially constructed and determined by symbols resembling social interactions.

Section 6
Challenges of Aging
Thumbnail
Social Isolation

Social isolation is common in elderly populations and refers to a complete or near-complete lack of contact with other people.

Thumbnail
Prejudice

Ageism is the discrimination of groups because of their age, and applies especially to the elderly.

Thumbnail
Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is the use of physical or mental harm against people of an older age.

Thumbnail
Health Problems

Although health problems rise when one comes into older age, social effects also exacerbate of medical ailments by the elderly.

You are in this book
Boundless Sociology by Boundless
Previous Chapter
Chapter 17
Population and Urbanization
  • Population Dynamics
  • Population Growth
  • Urbanization and the Development of Cities
  • Urban Life
  • Urban Problems and Policy
Current Chapter
Chapter 18
Aging
  • The Aging Population
  • A Global Perspective on Aging
  • The Functionalist Perspective on Aging
  • The Conflict Perspective on Aging
  • The Symbolic-Interactionist Perspective on Aging
and 1 more sections...
Next Chapter
Chapter 19
Health and Illness
  • The Experience of Illness
  • Sociological Perspectives on Health and Illness
  • Social Epidemiology and Health
  • Health Care in the U.S.
  • Modern Issues in Health Care
Subjects
  • Accounting
  • Algebra
  • Art History
  • Biology
  • Business
  • Calculus
  • Chemistry
  • Communications
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Microbiology
  • Physics
  • Physiology
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • U.S. History
  • World History
  • Writing

Except where noted, content and user contributions on this site are licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 with attribution required.